Investigators analyzed the role of prion protein (PrPC) in glioblastoma (GBM) cell pathogenicity focusing on tumor-initiating cells, the subpopulation responsible for development, progression and recurrence of most malignancies. Analyzing four GBM cancer stem cell-enriched cultures, they showed that PrPC expression is directly correlated with the proliferation rate of the cells. [Oncotarget]
Full Article

Scientists investigate the mechanism of action responsible for the induction of apoptosis by disulfiram/copper and its effect on cancer stem cell properties in HER2-positive breast cancers in vitro and in vivo. [Cancer Lett]
Abstract

Researchers found that ovarian cancer cells significantly acquired the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cells markers and a remarkable chemoresistance to clinically relevant doses of frontline chemotherapeutic drugs cisplatin and paclitaxel when grown under fluid shear stress, which corroborates with the physiological attainable levels in the malignant ascites, but not under static condition. [Sci Rep]
Abstract

Investigators confirmed that ALDH1 positivity is the best marker for the identification of breast cancer stem cells in BRCA1-defective breast cancer cell lines when compared to the CD marker profile and Side Population analysis. [BMC Cancer]
Full Article

Cancer is now viewed as a stem cell disease. There is still no consensus on the metabolic characteristics of cancer stem cells, with several studies indicating that they are mainly glycolytic and others pointing instead to mitochondrial metabolism as their principal source of energy. [Breast Cancer Res]
Full Article

Visit our
reviews
page to see a complete list of reviews in
the cancer stem cell research field.

PharmaEngine Inc. announced that the first patient has been dosed in a global pivotal Phase II/III trial of PEP503 in soft tissue sarcoma at Perpetual Succour Hospital, Cebu, Philippines. [PharmaEngine Inc.]
Press Release